On May 9, 2026, htw saar hosted the final colloquium for the first cohort of the “Participation and Child Protection” certificate program. The part-time continuing education program spanned two semesters and was designed for professionals in child and youth welfare.
In a festive ceremony, graduates from daycare centers and residential care facilities in Saarland received their certificates from the program director, Prof. Dr. Iris Leisner-Ruppin. The certificate program was primarily led by instructors Anne Garnier, Sigrid Selzer, and Martina Schneider and conveyed current scientific findings on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, child welfare, participation, and child protection, addressing practical questions regarding implementation in child and youth welfare facilities.
Through intensive engagement with the program’s content and joint reflection on their daily educational practice, the participants strengthened their professional skills. Both their educational work with the children and their own professional attitudes continued to develop. Graduates rated the greater diversity of methods, the strengthened ability to argue effectively in the area of participation, and the increased confidence in child protection procedures as particularly positive.
The certificate highlights the comprehensive qualifications of these professionals. At the same time, the institutions benefit from the expanded competencies and the application of the acquired knowledge in practice.
With the successful completion of the first cohort, htw saar is sending an important signal for professional development in the field of child and youth welfare. The “Specialist in Participation and Child Protection” certificate program combines academic foundations with practical workshops, exercises, and case studies. The focus is on children’s rights, ethical and professional conduct, an open culture of communication, and the legal foundations of child protection. The goal is to actively involve children in decision-making processes while creating a safe and trusting environment.
The continuing education program is aimed at social workers, social educators, and early childhood educators with professional experience, as well as students in the “Social Work and Early Childhood Education” and “Early Childhood Education” degree programs. The part-time certificate program comprises four modules over two semesters and concludes with a university certificate.
Applications for upcoming sessions are now being accepted. Those interested can find further information about the certificate program on the website of the Continuing Education Center Saar at htw saar.